Melissa Bable pleads no contest to receiving stolen property

matt.durr@hillsdale.netHILLSDALE — Melissa Claire Bable will likely serve time in jail for receiving and concealing stolen property in connection with a string of thefts last summer in Jonesville.

She entered a plea of no contest to one charge of receiving and concealing stolen property more than $200 but less than $1,000 for goods her husband, Adam Bable stole.

Melissa appeared before Hillsdale County District Court Judge Donald Sanderson Wednesday to enter her plea. Sanderson accepted the plea, but delayed sentencing until March 27 so he could further investigate the case against Melissa.

Sanderson said that these sorts of cases usually involve some jail time, but he did not indicate how much.

Court documents say that Melissa willingly accepted property, which included jewelry, that was stolen by her husband, and sold it to a pawn shop in October of last year.

Adam was sentenced in January to a minimum of 10 years in prison and more than $100,000 in restitution costs after he pled guilty to three counts of second degree home invasion in November of last year.

Adam’s sister and her husband Amber and Andrew Bearden were also convicted and sentenced in February for their roles in the theft ring. Amber received a minimum of three years in the prison and must pay restitution of more than $100,000 (to be split with Bable). She could spend up to 10 years behind bars. Andrew was sentenced to six months in jail with credit for 77 days served and will only pay restitution costs of a little more than $900. Andrew was placed on probation for three years as well.